Telecommunication method

(57) Extracts

Telecommunication procedure to allow a participant in a home mobile radio network (HPLMN) to join a visited mobile radio network (VPLMN, VPLMN ') without a roaming agreement with a home mobile radio network (HPLMN) if the participant ), a first mobile subscriber identity (IMSI 1) and a second mobile subscriber identity (IMSI 2) from a peer-to-peer (PPLMN) domain, and the peer-to-peer network (PPLMN) has additional roaming agreements, so that each of the two mobile subscriber identifiers (IMSI 1, IMSI 2) is assigned a single common number (MSISDN).

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First figure

The length of the description is 12 pages (including 4 pages)

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The present invention relates to a telecommunication method for enabling a participant in a domestic mobile radio network to join a visited mobile radio network without a roaming agreement with the domestic mobile radio network, provided that the participant has a first mobile portion of the same mobile number and ordering a second mobile subscriber ID, and the social network has additional roaming agreements. The present invention relates primarily to a roaming method and associated equipment based on the GSM specification and considered as an enhancement of international roaming.

Roaming, ie roaming, is the operation and operation of a terminal equipment outside its own home network. However, the present invention can also be used to solve roaming problems between different GSM-based and / or non-GSM-based networks such as GSM, UMTS, IN (= Intelligent Networks) and so on.

With so-called "indirect roaming", the operator of a mobile telecommunications network may provide mobile subscribers to a telecommunications network with coverage that does not require the deployment of the entire radio network in its authorized area. In addition, indirect roaming allows for very fast access to worldwide roaming.

International Patent Publication No. WO 98/10614, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for indirect roaming, which allows a participant in a domestic mobile telecommunications network to connect to a selected "visited" mobile telecommunications network that does not have a valid roaming network. agreement with the participant's home mobile network operator, and in doing so, for example, an IMSI number (IMSI = lntemational Mobile Subscriber Identity) and an MSISDN number (MSISDN = Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital NetWork) provided by a Partner Public Land Mobile NetWork (PPLMN), which in turn is valid and valid have a roaming agreement with each participant's Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN), and the operator of the Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) visited by the participant. Because each IMSI number is assigned a different MSISDN number, calls to the participant using the first MSISDN number must be routed through a relatively complex mechanism.

In the procedure described in this document, each SIM card (SIM = Subscriber Identity Module) of participants in a domestic mobile telecommunications network has two IMSI numbers. Each IMSI number is assigned a different MSISDN number. The first IMSI number belongs to the number range of the domestic mobile telecommunications network and the second IMSI number belongs to the number range of the peer network. To sign in to a visited VPLMN-NR network (NR = No Roaming) that does not have a roaming agreement with the home mobile network, the participant may replace the first IMSI number from the home mobile network with a second IMSI number from the peer network, and thus the mobile telecommunication networks he visits will be treated as a participant in the peer network.

Since in this known procedure a different MSISDN number is assigned to each IMSI number, calls made to the first MSISDN number must be routed to the participant by a very complex mechanism called a UBICOM rotary dial. Participant-specific data, such as call forwarding, additional numbers, and so on, are also traditionally assigned to an IMSI number and thus only visited in the domestic mobile telecommunication network or in a visited mobile telecommunication VPLMN -WR network (WR = With Roaming) available.

International Patent Publication No. WO92 / 19078 discloses a method for indirect roaming where two IMSI numbers are stored in a subscriber identity module that are assigned to a common MSISDN number in the HLR home directory and that are different from the calling party or the identity module in the mobile device. or via the keyboard of your mobile device.

Patent HU 217137 discloses a procedure for indirect roaming whereby a roaming participant is provided with a temporary number in the visited network and stored with the HLR's home registry of the visited network together with additional information about the participant's device. The disclosure does not teach or imply that a roaming participant would be assigned a second IMSI2 number from its first IMSI1 mobile subscriber ID and that a single common MSISDN number would be assigned to each IMSI number.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for overcoming the stated drawbacks of known solutions.

On the one hand, the object is solved by a method of enabling a participant in a domestic mobile radio network to join a visited mobile radio network without a roaming agreement with the domestic mobile radio network, provided that the participant is provided with the same mobile telecommunication network number. and ordering a second mobile subscriber ID from a number range of a peer network, and the social network has additional roaming agreements. According to the invention, the first mobile subscriber identifier is the domestic mobile telecommunication terminal 2

The second mobile subscriber identity is stored in its home registry and the second mobile subscriber identity is recalculated from the first mobile subscriber identity and a single common number is assigned to each of the two mobile subscriber identities. Assigning an MSISDN number to different IMSI numbers, in particular, has the advantage that a participant can be accessed through this one MSISDN number even if you log on to your home mobile network with different IMSI numbers, or when you visit another mobile station you visit. telecommunications network. Assigning two (or more) IMSI numbers to a single participant (where one IMSI number is selected from the number range of the home cellular network and the other IMSI number is from a number range of a peer network) has the additional benefit of not being part of the peer network not only the roaming agreements of your operator, but also the roaming agreements your mobile network operator may have in the future. As mentioned in the introduction, the present invention relates to mobile telecommunication networks constructed and operating in accordance with the GSM standard, but may also be used in other mobile telecommunication networks, such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephony System) or various GSM and non-GSM networks. when roaming between networks.

In a preferred embodiment of the proposed method, reports to be transmitted between the associate and the operator are converted to the first mobile subscriber ID and to the second mobile subscriber ID to the first mobile subscriber identifier with the second mobile subscriber identifier. is connected to a visited mobile radio network that has a roaming agreement.

In a preferred embodiment or embodiment, at least some of the first and second mobile subscriber identifiers associated with a common call number are stored in a common identity module.

It is further advantageous to activate the second mobile subscriber identity with the identity module if the identity module is unable to log in to the network with the first mobile subscriber identity. Activation of an alternative IMS1 authentication according to various embodiments of the method of the invention, which may be implemented as common, location-dependent, or stand-alone variants, may be implemented automatically or via a participant, e.g.

In a further preferred embodiment of the proposed method, the ID module is programmed with a single authorization key for each of the mobile subscriber IDs, which is used to determine the authenticity of the ID module when connecting to a mobile radio network.

As a preferred embodiment of the proposed method, at least the mobile country code and mobile network code of the first mobile subscriber identifier are replaced with numbers from the number range of the co-operator to convert the second mobile subscriber ID from the first mobile subscriber ID.

In addition, it is advantageous for the first mobile subscriber ID to be stored in the home registry of the home mobile telecommunications network and the second mobile subscriber ID to be converted from the first mobile subscriber ID. Preferably, both the first and second mobile subscriber identifiers are stored in the home registry of the home mobile telecommunication network and linked to each other by a single common number. It is also advantageous if only one mobile subscriber ID is active at a time.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least some of the first and second mobile subscriber identifiers connected to each other by a common dialing number stored in the same identity module are activated by the input elements of the mobile terminal.

It is also advantageous according to the invention to issue separate invoices to at least one of the first and second mobile subscriber identifiers associated with a common dialing number. The advantage of this situation settlement is that it is extremely flexible and, depending on the application being used, and not only in the context of indirect roaming, it is possible for one participant to generate separate accounts for different application purposes. we activate the corresponding IMSI number, for example, different IMSI numbers for official and private use.

Preferably, mobile radio networks are GSM networks.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which exemplifies the implementation of the proposed process. outlined below. In the drawing it is

First Figure 4A is a schematic representation of each signaling relationship and aspect in a book entry version where an IMSI number associated with an MSISDN number is registered in the domestic registry;

Second Figure 1B schematically illustrates each signaling relationship in one possible version, where two IMSI numbers associated with a common MSISDN number are registered in the domestic registry,

Third FIG. 4A is a diagram showing schematically the signaling conditions for a first connection termination in a variant which is linked to a home registry linked to an MSISDN number, and FIG.

4th FIG. 4A is a diagram showing schematically the signaling conditions for a first termination of a first embodiment which has two,

EN 224 085 Β1 IMS connected to a common MSISDN number! number is registered in the domestic registry.

According to the present invention, an operator of a licensed domestic mobile telecommunications network, hereinafter referred to as "the operator", is its own licensed HPLMN domestic mobile telecommunications network (see Figures 1-4). establishes and operates one or more MSC / HLR Mobile Switching Centers / HLR Home Registries and a home mobile radio network, such as a GSM, UMTS or other standard based network, for economic reasons (e.g., locations).

The operator of the HPLMN Home Mobile Telecommunication Network allows its customers (i.e., participants) to operate 1 mobile terminal in the VPLMN, VPLMN 'mobile radio networks they visit, outside of their own network, through direct roaming. To this end, the operator of a PPLMN peer-to-peer network shall make roaming connections available to our operator.

For international roaming, the identification of mobile participants according to the GSM specification is based on the IMSI number. The affiliate operator therefore provides the operator with an IMSI number range from the affiliate operator number range. The two main variants already mentioned in the list of figures are described in more detail below:

First version

An identification module such as a SIM card which is removably inserted into a one mobile terminal and is about two IMSI contains a number, of which the first IMSI one IMSI number, the operator number range of the second IMSI 2 ISMI numbers and the co-operator number artományából It comes from. Both IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI numbers are assigned a common MSISDN number. All of the participant-specific data, such as call forwarding, fax number extensions, data transfer numbers, and so on, are assigned to this MSISDN number and thus independent of the IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI numbers used in the network, and always are available.

This version has the advantage that participants are assigned IMSI 1 IMSI numbers for the area of ​​the operator's HPLMN home mobile telecommunication network. This allows an operator to establish their own roaming partnerships. In addition, any later termination of indirect roaming does not require replacement of SIM cards.

Second version

The SIM card contains only one IMSI 2 IMSI number. This IMSI 2 IMSI number is derived from the IMSI number range of the associated operator, and an IMIS 2 IMSI number is assigned an MSISDN number for the operator number range.

The advantage of this variant 2 is that it provides a simpler solution for both the SIM card, the mobile terminal 1 and the network. However, this variant has major drawbacks, especially with regard to the possibilities for further development by the operator, mainly because it is not possible to establish a direct roaming connection or network connection in parallel with indirect roaming. In addition, if the indirect roaming is discontinued, the SIM card damage will also need to be replaced, so this variant 2 is not described in more detail due to the disadvantages.

Mobile participants in the HPLMN domestic mobile telecommunication network are preferably registered in the home registry of one or more HLRs of the operator, which thus receives and handles the customer administration. With respect to the first version, which we prefer, the sub-variants outlined in Figures 1 and 2 for handling the two IMSI numbers 1, 2 and 2 are shown.

First sub-variant

Only the operator's IMSI 1 IMSI number is registered in the operator's HLR domestic registry. The hosting provider of the PPLMN peer-to-peer network is its IMSI

2 The IMSI number from the operator's IMSI 1 IMSI number is just Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile NetWork Code (MMC), and Mobile Subscriber Identity Number (MSIN), if applicable, two Ιη, h₂, or as an additional additional number, as shown in the example below:

<td rowspan="2"></td><td colspan="3">IMSI number format</td>

<td>MCC</td><td>MNC</td><td>MSIN</td>

<td>IMSI 1 from the operator number range</td><td> 999</td><td> 07</td><td>26 24680135 (h₁h₂=26)</td>

<td>The IMSI number from the affiliate operator number range</td><td> 228</td><td> 01</td><td> 3724680135 (0^=37)</td>

In the so - called SS7 - MAP reports (SS7 = 7, MAP = Mobile Application Part), which are transmitted between the co - operator and the operator, the IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI numbers in unit 3 (see Fig. 1). and Figure 3), we recalculate the IMSI number of the affiliate operator IMSI 2 to the operator IMSI

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For IMSI and vice versa. The unit 3 may, for example, be a programmed software module that is, for example, installed and executed on the same computer as the home HLR of the operator, or installed and executed on any other suitable network device. The signaling traffic between the PPLMN peer-to-peer network and the HPLMN domestic mobile telecommunication network, and the signaling traffic between the PPLMN peer-to-peer network and VPLMN visited mobile telecommunication network are schematically indicated by two-way dashed arrows.

In accordance with the GSM standard, for security reasons, a SIM card is accessed and logged on to a network. This eligibility test applies to the IMSI number. Since only the operator IMSI 1 IMSI number is registered in the HLR domestic registry in the first sub-variant, there is only one authority (key) for each IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI number. Therefore, the SIM card used in the mobile terminal must also be programmed with a single authority (i.e., an off key) corresponding to the two IMSI numbers IMSI 1, IMSI 2.

Second sub-variant

Both IMSI 1 and IMSI 2 IMSI numbers are registered in the operator's HLR domestic registry and are linked to a single common MSISDN number. However, only one of the IMSI numbers IMSI 1, IMSI 2 is always active (as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4, respectively).

The dashed border around the IMSI number indicates which network the participant was last logged on to. For example, the HLR home registry contains a list of mobile subscriber identities (IMSI numbers) that includes an active flag for each mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI number) that can be set so that only one IMSI 1, IMSI 2 will be considered active. One skilled in the art will obviously know a number of methods for marking a mobile subscriber identifier as active in the appropriate list of the HLR home registry, for example, during a location update performed in accordance with the GSM standard when a concerned participant 1 is mobile to a MSC / VLR mobile switching center. / Log in to the Mobile Switching CenterA / isitor Location Register. Each of the IMSI numbers IMSI 1, IMSI 2 has a unique identifier (Kl key), according to which this second sub-variant also differs from the first sub-variant presented above from the side of the SIM card.

It is also to be noted here that the second sub-version, also shown, may also be used for other applications, such as two SIM cards with a common MSISDN number, or two IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI numbers on a single SIM card for different application purposes, for example, to distinguish between official and private calls. For example, for billing outbound calls, a clearing center not shown in the figure may, depending on the application, create a separate account for each or at least a specific mobile subscriber ID associated with the same MSISDN number, or each or at least a specific MSISDN number. you can issue a single invoice to a connected mobile subscriber ID. Accordingly, the clearing center assigns multiple billing addresses to all or at least specific mobile subscriber identifiers, and assigns a single billing address to the MSISDN number or at least certain mobile subscriber identifiers. For example, the appropriate Call Data Record may be used for cost accounting purposes.

All sub-variants presented so far, as well as in the second version, HLR's domestic registry, as indicated, are preferably located in the operator's network.

In accordance with the GSM specification, the HLR home registry address is derived from, inter alia, IMSI numbers IMSI 1, IMSI 2, for sending SS7 messages to the HLR home registry (CCITT E.12 number format is converted to CCITT E.14 number format). Because the visited VPLMN in the PPLMN peer-to-peer visited cellular telecommunication network, messages received from the VPLMN 's visited cellular telecommunication network include the PPLMN peer-to-peer address, or report addresses, i.e. the Global Address in the SS7 Signaling Connection Control Part, convert messages or messages without a SCCP redirect over a public network such as a leased line, or via the Internet to the operator's HPLMN home mobile telecommunication network. Messages sent from the HLR home registry to the visited MSCA / LR mobile switching center / visitor location registers must have an HLR home registry address from the PPLMN peer-to-peer number range to ensure that the messages are returned. The SCCP global address for the SS7 message is shown in Figure 1-4. 2. such as a programmed software module that can be installed and run on the same computer as, for example, the PPLMN peer-to-peer HLR registry, the PPLMN peer-to-peer MSC / VLR mobile switching center / visitor location register, or any other suitable network can be installed and executed on a unit.

Since SS7 messages are sent from the visited VPLMN, VPLMN 'visited mobile telecommunication networks for the purpose of entry into the operator's HLR domestic register (location update), the co-operator has the opportunity to check the number of users from the operator IS.

In the first version, where we worked with two IMSI 1, IMSI 2 IMSI numbers, the login (location update) is done depending on the location.

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As long as the mobile participant in question is in the area served by the operator, that is, within the area of ​​the HPLMN home mobile telecommunications network or a visited PPLMN peer-to-peer network with the operator of the HPLMN home mobile telecommunications network, the mobile terminal 1 automatically you will log in with the IMSI number 1 from the operator's IMSI number range as shown in sections 1 and 2. 10 to 11 are indicated by arrows. In fact, this procedure corresponds to standard GSM operations. However, if the operator's mobile participant leaves the area of ​​the operator's own HPLMN home mobile telecommunications network, the participant may automatically or manually log in to the visited VPLMN's mobile telecommunications network using the IMSI number of its associate IMSI 2.

First and Figure 2 is indicated by arrows 20. Depending on the degree of convenience that the participant is intended to provide, for example, whether the IMSI switch is manual or automatic, special functions may be provided on the SIM card or optionally in the mobile terminal 1 itself. Preferably, the IMSI switching is effected by a programmed software function without, for example, removing the SIM card from the mobile terminal 1 or manipulating the card. Preferably, the programmed software function runs on the SIM card itself. Of course, this can also be accomplished by a programmed software function in the network infrastructure. In the latter case, the first or second IMSI numbers 1, IMSI 2, IMSI 2 are transmitted to the mobile terminal 1 in question, for example via SMS (Short Message Services) or USSD (USSD = Unstructured Supplementary Services Data), the network infrastructure. to activate it.

Incoming calls are routed to the operator's network based on the MSISDN number in the operator's number range. Since the address of the MSCA / LR mobile switching center / visitor location logs to which the participant is logged is registered in the operator's HRL domestic registry, the function (ie requesting a roaming number and establishing a connection to the roaming number) is basically according to the GSM specification is taking place. 3 and 4. FIG. 6A shows signaling links for a connection terminating at a mobile terminal 1, i.e., a call addressed to a mobile terminal 1, according to the first and second sub-variants of the first embodiment. 3 and 4, the incoming call is illustrated with 4 arrows that pass through a GMSC (GMSC = Gateway Mobile Switching Center) to the HPLMN home mobile telecommunication network. 3 and 4. In Figure 4A, the dashed double arrows schematically indicate the roaming number request, while the dashed arrows represent the connections established with the received roaming number, since they may be roamed over other networks depending on the circumstances. SS7 MAP messages that are sent to the respective MSC / VLR Mobile Switching Center / Visitor Location Registers for roaming number must always include the HLR Domestic Registry Address from the Co-Operator Number Range as the sender or sender, and must also include the Co-Operator IMSI number in the MAP message. Figures 3 and 4 also show that Figures 1 and 2 show that 5a, how the affected participant is entered with a mobile terminal in the PPLMN peer-to-peer network with the IMSI 1 IMSI number from the operator's number range and in the VPLMN, VPLMN ' switching center / visitor location registers.

Some roaming partners also charge a fee for incoming connections. Settlements are made by the roaming data clearing and financial clearing device of the co-operator, as described below for outgoing calls.

Outgoing calls are treated as "roaming cases" of the affiliate operator, ie:

- the call is structured in accordance with the GSM specification,

- settlement is effected through the roaming data clearing device of the co-operator,

- the clearing and settlement of those links are made to the operator through a separate clearing transaction through the affiliate.

Short messages arriving at the destination are forwarded to the recipient in accordance with the GSM specification, based on the VLR visitor location register and the IMSI number registered in the HLR domestic registry. The SS7 message sent to the MSC / VLR Mobile Switching Center / Visitor Location Registers must include an IMSI 2 IMSI number from the peer operator number range as the sender, and the MAP message must also include the IMSI 2 IMSI number of the peer reporting. The generated Short Messages are sent to the operator's Short Message Service Center (SMSC) and / or other Short Message Center according to the GSM specification.

In countries or areas where the operator has a direct roaming agreement with other mobile operators (HPLMN domestic mobile network area or PPLMN peer-to-peer network or visited network with roaming agreement), IMSI 1 number according to GSM specification.

In countries or areas where there is no VPLMN visited, the VPLMN 'mobile telecommunication network does not have a direct roaming agreement with the HPLMN domestic mobile telecommunication network.

EN 224 085 Β1 network operator, the participant may automatically or manually log in to the roaming VPLMN roaming mobile network or VPLMN 'roaming mobile network using the IMSI2 IMSI number of the co-operator.

This roaming connection shall be settled by means of the roaming data clearing and settlement facility of the co-operator, where appropriate clearing can be provided to the operator by means of data clearing.